Just noticed over the weekend that my steering has started to growl loudly. At first I thought it was an isolated incident but I've now learned how to duplicate it every time. What happens is when I quickly pull into a parking space and turn the wheel while braking moderately that the entire movement of the steering wheel produces a loud groaning sound along with a noticable vibration. If I let off the brake the sound ceases, also, if I approach the turn slower and brake lighter there is no sound. Any ideas as to what this could be or where I should start looking?

Thanks.

I remember taking a quick look at the levels some time last week before this problem surfaced and I didn't observe any anomalies. I'll be sure to check again before I go home tonight. BTW, if I do need a fluid top up. What type of fluid should I be putting in there?

I was bored so I ran down to the garage and took a quick peek at the fluid levels. The hydraulic fluid resevoir cap was stuck so I had to really turn it to get it off. My visual inspection last week was from the outside of the resevoir. When I looked at the dip stick I found that the level is WAY above the max mark. Actually, it's about the same distance above Max as the distance between the Min/Max marks on the stick. I haven't bothered to open this since I've owned the car so I think the only other person that may have filled this is either the shop I bought my car from over 1 year ago or the mechanic that did my tranny rebuild last week. Is this excess potentially damaging and would it cause this kind of problem?

Other than that, I see nothing else wrong. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.